“Indra-2012” - to be teachings!
In the 2012 year, according to information disseminated by the media, the Russian Federation and India will resume conducting joint annual ground forces exercises, known as "Indra."
In Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia, negotiations have already begun between the military departments of both countries on the conduct of the antiterrorist exercise Indra-2012. The Indian military delegation was led by Major General Chand Rodjan Singh. According to the assistant commander of the troops of the Eastern Military District, Lieutenant Colonel A. Gordeev, during these negotiations, two delegations were scheduled to visit the “Cheetah” test site, which is on the border with China and Mongolia. During the consultations, a reconnaissance on the ground was conducted and its assessment, as well as the possible location of the field camp. Presumably, joint exercises are scheduled for the summer.
There is also information that states plan to conduct such exercises annually, in turn, in the territory of each of these countries.
Recall that the Indra military exercises were held from 2003 to 2010 a year, but in the summer of 2011, the Russian Ministry of Defense decided to cancel the exercises. It was not possible to get an official explanation regarding the adoption of such a decision. In April 2011, the Russian Federation also refused to conduct joint Russian-Indian naval exercises. This time, the reason was the need to assist Japan, which was hit by earthquakes and tsunamis in March of the same year.
In 2003, the beginning of a series of data exercises. It was then that the combined detachment of warships of the Black Sea and Pacific Fleets of Russia took part in the exercises for the first time. The detachment was headed by the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation Guards missile cruiser "Moscow", which, under the command of Vice-Admiral E. Orlov, for the first time in the latest stories Russian fleet went to the far ocean zone. Since then, exercises have become regular and held once every 2 years.
So, the exercises "Indra-2005" were held in the Bay of Bengal. Russia introduced its vessels there almost immediately after India conducted joint exercises with America. The main task that the Russian military command set for itself is to show that the Russian state is open to the development of international relations and is ready to do everything possible to strengthen stability in the Pacific region. The Russian group of ships included the Varyag missile cruiser, the Pechenga sea tanker, the Admiral Panteleyev and the Admiral Tributs anti-submarine ships, and the Kalar sea tug.
In the process of conducting exercises, all types of firing were worked out, including rocket fire. Shortly before the maritime stage, the land phase of the exercise was held at the Makhadjan site. In its course, the paratroopers of both states worked out a mechanism for joint action in the event of hostage taking on an alleged terrorist base.
The Russian side sent a maneuver around 1600, including the parachute company of the 76 division of the Airborne Forces of the city of Pskov.
Amphibious subunits also completed the landing of assault vehicles from Russian Il-76 aircraft, as well as anti-tank mobile systems from Indian An-32.
The active phase of the Indra-2007 exercise, which was held in the Pskov Region, began in mid-September. On 60, Russian and Indian paratroopers made jumps from IL-76 transport aircraft. The exercise was observed by representatives of both countries. During this stage, the issues of search and destruction of terrorists on rough terrain were worked out.
At the very beginning of military exercises, the jumping was under threat of failure due to certain weather conditions (strong wind). The issue of landing is due to the fact that for the first time Indian soldiers had to use Russian parachutes and weapon, it was decided to postpone until the arrival of the Indian Chief of Staff of the Army, General J. Singh.
When he arrived at the training ground, together with the commander of the Airborne Forces of the Russian Federation A. Kolmakov spoke with those paratroopers who were supposed to carry out jumps. Even despite the strong gusts of wind, it was decided to conduct this stage.
Then for the representatives of the Indian side an exhibition of equipment and weapons was organized, which is used in the landing troops of Russia. Indian paratroopers were told a little about each sample presented, showed automotive equipment, flame throwers, machine guns, pistols, machine guns, as well as blue berets outfits.
The sea phase of the Indra-2007 exercise was held in the Sea of Japan, near Vladivostok. The warships of the two countries practiced carrying out joint patrols in the zone of the most active navigation, search and destruction of underwater and surface targets, and refueling at sea.
On the part of India, such ships as the destroyer Mysore, the corvette Kutar, the frigates Rana and Ranjit, the tanker Jioti took part in the exercises, and from the Russian the large anti-submarine ships Marshal Shaposhnikov and Admiral Vinogradov , missile boat "P-29", diesel submarine, tanker "Pechenga", helicopters Ka-27 and IL-38 (anti-submarine aircraft), a detachment of minesweepers.
The main task of the 2009 maneuvers of the year was to work out the protection of ships against piracy and the fight against terrorist actions. Artillery and rocket fire were conducted. The Russian warship Admiral Vinogradov also took part in combat duty in the Gulf of Aden.
During the land phase of the 2010 exercise of the year, the Russian military for the first time used Permyachka combat kits, which are designed to provide high protection against fragments and bullets. In addition to armor, the kit includes 20 masking items for the summer and winter period, a transport vest and a raid backpack.
On the part of Russia, more than 280 soldiers were deployed to the territory of India with the help of two Il-76 aircraft. As part of the exercise, it was planned to familiarize with the weapons of the two countries and their mutual use. The Russian military conducted firing of Indian small arms, and the Indian military tried in practice to use RPG-7 grenade launchers, AK-74M assault rifles, Dragunov sniper rifles and PKM machine guns.
Despite the fact that the next exercises of the two states were scheduled for 2011 year, Russia, as we said above, refused to hold them. The Indian government was extremely surprised by this step. In April, the Indian warships Ranvir, Delhi and Ranvijay, which were carrying guided missiles, arrived at the seaport of Vladivostok. But the Russian side stated that it did not have free ships to conduct the exercises, since all of them were busy delivering aid to Japan.
But, as it turned out, the Russian ships were not going to go to Japan at all, they conducted their own exercises at sea.
Representatives of the Indian side were even more offended by Moscow’s statement that the land phase could not be carried out either, since there was not enough time to prepare.
There is an assumption that this behavior of Russia is caused by the refusal of India to buy Russian fighter jets. Recall that shortly before the exercises, the Indian side held a tender for the supply of combat vehicles, as a result of which the choice was made in favor of Eurofighter. Also very unpleasant for Russia was the decision of the Government of India to open tenders for the supply of spare parts for MiG fighter jets, explaining that Russia either delays much of the supply or does not give anything at all.
In 2012, the Russian leadership decided to resume the exercise.
Note that Indra is an Indian god of thunder. But the name of the joint exercises is connected not only with him, Indra is the abbreviation of the names of two states.
In conditions when Russia does not have reliable allies in the world community, the desire to unite, shown by the Indian side, is worth it.
Photos from the exercises Indra-2010
- Valery Boval
- http://twower.livejournal.com
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